STXWM Blog

In honor of Valentine’s Day, my husband and I, along with my parents, were asked to be guests on his and his buddy’s podcast. We participated in a Newlywed type of game show via livestream. Our friend had each couple play silly games, such as grabbing 3 random items from our houses and seeing if our spouse could recognize the symbolism of love behind them. We also did have to answer questions about our spouses. Well, one of the questions was: “What Biblical couple are you most like?” At first this question caught me off guard, but after a few seconds (because that’s all the time we were given), I knew the perfect couple- Abraham and Sarah. Not that I was calling my husband and I an old married couple, but their story was very similar to ours; having to leave a city we know and loved and having to start over. We even had to wait years into our marriage before we could grow our family, too. I’ve had to fight my share of disappointment and doubt, while finding ways to manage my mental health.

Sarah is mostly known for her twenty-five year wait for her son, but her journey of faith is not just about the miraculous birth of Isaac. Her journey spans a lifetime of trials, doubts, and ultimately, unwavering trust in God’s promises. Through Sarah’s story (Gen. 11- 23), we all can learn how to embrace audacious faith in our lives, even when circumstances seem too great.

The Journey Begins

Sarah’s story begins in the land of Ur, where she lived with her husband, Abraham. Their life took a dramatic turn when God called Abraham to leave their homeland and journey to an unknown land. Sarah, despite not knowing the destination or the trials ahead, supported her husband and embarked on this journey, demonstrating an incredible faith in God’s plan.

Life in Canaan

Upon reaching Canaan, Sarah and Abraham faced numerous challenges. They were foreigners in a strange land, and their faith was constantly tested. One of the most significant tests was the promise that God made to Abraham—that he would be the father of many nations (Gen. 12:1-3). This promise seemed impossible, as Abraham was seventy-five and Sarah was sixty-five. Yet, despite the impossibility, they continued to trust in God’s plan.

The Doubts and the Waiting

Years passed without any sign of the promised child, and Sarah’s faith wavered. In a moment of doubt, she suggested that Abraham have a child with her maid, Hagar, which led to the birth of Ishmael. This decision brought apprehension and conflict into their household, but it also highlighted Sarah’s humanity—she struggled with doubts, just like any of us would. Yet, even in her doubt, she remained committed to God’s promise.

The Promise Fulfilled

When Sarah was ninety years old, God made good on His promise, and Sarah conceived Isaac. This miraculous event is often the highlight of her story, showcasing God’s faithfulness and power. Isaac’s birth was not just a fulfillment of a personal promise to Sarah and Abraham; it was a testament to God’s unique plan for humanity. Through Isaac, the lineage of Christ was established, bringing hope to a broken world.

Faith in Action

Sarah’s story doesn’t end with the birth of Isaac. Her faith continued to be tested in various ways. One significant event was the binding of Isaac, where Abraham was asked to sacrifice their long-awaited son. Although the Bible doesn’t describe Sarah’s feelings during this trial, we can gather that her faith was intertwined with her husband’s. Once again, because of their fervent obedience, God blesses them with a ram (Gen. 22:1-19).

Lessons from Sarah’s Faith

Sarah’s journey teaches us several key lessons about audacious faith:

• Trust in God’s Timing: Sarah’s story reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our expectations. Despite years of waiting, God fulfilled His promise to Sarah in a miraculous way.
• Faith Amidst Doubt: Sarah’s moment of doubt with Hagar shows us that it’s okay to struggle with faith. God understands our humanity, and he is patient and forgiving.
• Supporting Others in Faith: Throughout her journey, Sarah supported her husband in his faith. This mutual support strengthened their trust in God and His promises.
• Enduring Trials with Faith: Sarah’s life was filled with trials, but her faith endured. She trusted God through the uncertainties and hardships, ultimately witnessing His faithfulness (Heb. 11:11-12).

Just as Sarah’s faith was tested in various ways, we too face challenges that require audacious faith. Whether it’s financial struggles, health concerns, career paths, or supporting loved ones, we can draw inspiration from Sarah’s story. Her unwavering trust in God encourages us to surrender our worries and doubts to Him.

1 Peter 5:7 –  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life. But like Sarah, we can choose to trust in God’s promises. He knows our struggles and is faithful to provide, heal, guide, and fulfill His promises. Audacious faith means stepping out of our comfort zones, even when we don’t see the immediate results. My husband and I didn’t know where God was calling us to move or when we would get that positive pregnancy test, but God did. Sometimes audacious faith means believing in God’s goodness and His perfect timing.

Let’s remember Sarah’s journey. Let’s embrace audacious faith in every aspect of our lives, trusting that God will lead us, provide for us, and fulfill His promises in ways beyond our imagination. Let us pray with unwavering trust, knowing that just as God was faithful to Sarah, He will be faithful to us.

Hebrews 11:1– Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

P.S. In case you were wondering, we won the Newlywed Game! Sorry, Mom and Dad.

Melinda Brown is a mother, co-pastor, entrepreneur, and now she can add author to her ever growing list of gifts. She and her husband, Jason, pastor Columbus Community Church in South East Texas and now, Melinda has agreed to come on board as one of our newest authors on the STXWM Blog Team. Her heart is to share the love of Jesus through her writing and to tell the world of the healing and comfort that can be found in a relationship with the Lord.